Serie A high-flyers Sampdoria have stepped up their efforts to sign Samuel Eto’o from Everton, BBC Sport has suggested.
Media reports in Italy had claimed the Blucerchiati were keen on the Cameroon star and BBC Sport has now confirmed an approach has been made.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez in turn decided to leave the veteran striker out of the squad for the FA Cup third round replay against West Ham.
“A couple of clubs contacted us in the last 12 hours so I decided to leave him out,” said manager Roberto Martinez. “We will see what is best for him and us over the next few days.”
Samuel Eto’o joined the Toffees on a two-year deal from Chelsea in the summer and went on to score 3 goals in 14 Premier League outings.
Having also signed talented forward Luis Muriel from Udinese, Sampdoria seem determined to keep the rich vein of form that saw them climb to fifth in the league standings.
And with the Blucerchiati sitting mere one point behind Champions League positions, bear in mind they are 17.00 (16/1) to achieve a top 3 finish.
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